The Making of a Disney Addict

[Al and Kate's Mom]

My 1st daughter was a complete angel until the 2nd one arrived..... Then it went completely downhill.

I'm so glad I'm not alone!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Great story, love it. Subbing

(also, it 1:30 am, so I am happy there is no more tonight)

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Hi Backstage Gal - thanks for joining! I know what you mean about the late hours - the only reason I got a decent night's sleep last night was because the DIS was down

 

[DisneyObsession]

Pally is not so happy with Princess Kate's arrival - sibling rivalry begins at a young age, doesn't it?

I understand this! My sister HATED me when I was brought home from the hospital on her 5th birthday! For years she didn't let me live it down! Like I had a choice in the whole thing!

Sibling rivalry can be brutal!

Keep the posts coming...they're GREAT!!!

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

I work from my home (love it). One day, I'm working away and I hear my backdoor open - who could be coming through my backdoor in the middle of the day

I walk downstairs, and there's my husband. I jokingly say "What, did you lose your job or something?" And HE JUST LOOKS AT ME. And I JUST LOOK AT HIM. For one of the few times in my life, I am actually speechless.

Would like to say that my first thought was "Oh, no we can't go to Disney" but this is real life, and I WAS actually more concerned with things like the mortgage, food, etc - you know - the actual survival necessities. Then I remembered that we got through it when I lost my job - this is just a little more complicated because the kids are here - we'll make it!

So we take the opportunity, reorganize our finances (read: shuffle the debt) and send DH back to school to finish his degree while working PT. IT'S WORKING!

THEN I get the email. My TA letting me know that the balance is due for our Disney Trip. CARP CARP CARP

Know what - I'm going anyway! DH can't go because of school, but he gives his blessing for me and DD to go anyway! Mr. Cheap actually coughed up the dough to pay for our Tickets and gave us the plane tickets, Free Dining came into play - WE'RE STILL GOING TO DISNEY!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I work from my home (love it). One day, I'm working away and I hear my backdoor open - who could be coming through my backdoor in the middle of the day

I walk downstairs, and there's my husband. I jokingly say "What, did you lose your job or something?" And HE JUST LOOKS AT ME. And I JUST LOOK AT HIM. For one of the few times in my life, I am actually speechless.

Would like to say that my first thought was "Oh, no we can't go to Disney" but this is real life, and I WAS actually more concerned with things like the mortgage, food, etc - you know - the actual survival necessities. Then I remembered that we got through it when I lost my job - this is just a little more complicated because the kids are here - we'll make it!

So we take the opportunity, reorganize our finances (read: shuffle the debt) and send DH back to school to finish his degree while working PT. IT'S WORKING!

THEN I get the email. My TA letting me know that the balance is due for our Disney Trip. CARP CARP CARP

Know what - I'm going anyway! DH can't go because of school, but he gives his blessing for me and DD to go anyway! Mr. Cheap actually coughed up the dough to pay for our Tickets and gave us the plane tickets, Free Dining came into play - WE'RE STILL GOING TO DISNEY!

Man, don't you just hate it when life gets in the way.... I'm glad to see you're still going, but sad to see you dh won't be going with you. That is the worst feeling in the world when you don't know which way is up and how your going to pay your bills... I am proud of you for not and then !

Carp, carp, carp???? Is that what I think it was? Did you just NOT say a bad word???? Hey I have my kids thinking that stupid, idiot, carp, darn, and shut up are all bad words. It's funny when they come over and say, "Mom, sister just said the s word." Of course everyone's thinking of the "bad" s word and I say, "Did she say shut up to you?" And they say, "Yeah, you need to tell her she's in trouble." My dh just shakes his head and says, "I can't wait until they get released into the real world."

 

[Lauralee131]

I work from my home (love it). One day, I'm working away and I hear my backdoor open - who could be coming through my backdoor in the middle of the day

I walk downstairs, and there's my husband. I jokingly say "What, did you lose your job or something?" And HE JUST LOOKS AT ME. And I JUST LOOK AT HIM. For one of the few times in my life, I am actually speechless.

Would like to say that my first thought was "Oh, no we can't go to Disney" but this is real life, and I WAS actually more concerned with things like the mortgage, food, etc - you know - the actual survival necessities. Then I remembered that we got through it when I lost my job - this is just a little more complicated because the kids are here - we'll make it!

So we take the opportunity, reorganize our finances (read: shuffle the debt) and send DH back to school to finish his degree while working PT. IT'S WORKING!

THEN I get the email. My TA letting me know that the balance is due for our Disney Trip. CARP CARP CARP

Know what - I'm going anyway! DH can't go because of school, but he gives his blessing for me and DD to go anyway! Mr. Cheap actually coughed up the dough to pay for our Tickets and gave us the plane tickets, Free Dining came into play - WE'RE STILL GOING TO DISNEY!

Sorry to hear the news Al and Kate's Mom...been there, done that...Oh, wait a minute...still doing that!! DH had to dissolve his business back in February due to my company transferring me (from NH to NC) and he hasn't worked since...Hmmmm...doesn't seem real anxious either... Well, the money's all gone now...ALL gone...and of course my main concern is and was the Disney trip we've got booked for December!! Ah...good to have priorities, isn't it!? I'm trying to figure out how to shuffle the debt too...Hey - I've got an idea...pay the ones marked "Final Notice" and throw the rest away!! Luckily, everything for the trip is paid for so we can't cancel now! Uh unh - NO WAY...I do have to admit though...it's kind of nice having someone else do the laundry and the cleaning, etc...for a change...I don't think I've done a load of laundry since like May!?!?! I highly recommend it! Seriously though...Good luck to you guys...I feel your pain Sista!!!

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Carp, carp, carp???? Is that what I think it was? Did you just NOT say a bad word???? Hey I have my kids thinking that stupid, idiot, carp, darn, and shut up are all bad words. It's funny when they come over and say, "Mom, sister just said the s word." Of course everyone's thinking of the "bad" s word and I say, "Did she say shut up to you?" And they say, "Yeah, you need to tell her she's in trouble." My dh just shakes his head and says, "I can't wait until they get released into the real world."

Hey ET - guilty I have the same rules - DH is with me, but my sister just shakes her head at me

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

I feel your pain Sista!!!

Hi Lauralee131 - thanks for reading. This is one club I DON'T like adding members too But it is nice to have people to talk to - I'll keep you in my thoughts Sista

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Hey, there missy.
Step it up... I need more trippie!

Hey, look, that rhymes! Yes, can you tell I have toddlers?

I also feel your pain.... I stopped working over 2 1/2 years ago when I was preggers with DS. I'm thinking DH is expecting me to go back sometime soon. If I keep planning WDW trips, maybe he won't notice...

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Hey, there missy.
Step it up... I need more trippie!

Hey, look, that rhymes! Yes, can you tell I have toddlers?

I also feel your pain.... I stopped working over 2 1/2 years ago when I was preggers with DS. I'm thinking DH is expecting me to go back sometime soon. If I keep planning WDW trips, maybe he won't notice...

That is the BEST plan I've heard in a long time!

I'll try to get some more up in the next few days - promise!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Hey, there missy.
Step it up... I need more trippie!

Hey, look, that rhymes! Yes, can you tell I have toddlers?

I also feel your pain.... I stopped working over 2 1/2 years ago when I was preggers with DS. I'm thinking DH is expecting me to go back sometime soon. If I keep planning WDW trips, maybe he won't notice...

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Hey ET - how are you?

 

[DisneyObsession]

Looking forward to more.

We dealt with DH being unemployed for 2 yrs then he finally got a job. Hang in there, it'll get better!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Hey A&K'smom, What's going on? I had to actually work this last week. Bummer.... Did I miss anything????

20 more days hmmmm.....Bet your not one bit excited..... This was me 20 days out- I was already packed a month before. Are you packed already?

Let us know more about whats happening....

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Don't mind me....



Hellloooooooo? Anyone??? Hey, has anyone seen Al?

 

[horsegirl]

Hi Al!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your first chapter was hysterical. Your second was two. Your third made my heart sink! Awwwww, how carpy! But your attitude is amazing! I am in, girlie! You are one funny and sweet woman! Things can not go but up for you, and they will! Can't wait to hear the rest of this tale... Great job.

 

[PaMom001]

I've got to stop coming to the trip report board. Yet another trippie I'm hooked on.

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

You should know about me that I am completely over-protective of my children. I do realize that I will probably turn them into neurotic scardey-cats, but to me, that means they’ll at least be alive – don’t judge.

So now it finally occurs to me that I am getting ready to take my 4 year old daughter to Disney World BY MYSELF – what if she gets lost? What if I get lost? What if IASMW breaks down and we have to swim for it – SHE CAN’T SWIM – AAAAAHHHHHHHH. Okay, calm down and start just talking to Pal about what to do if all of these horrible scenarios play out. She obediently listens, repeats back to me how to find a CM if she gets lost (though she refuses to wear a lifejacket under her shirt), and my panic starts to subside. I can do this – I WILL do this, and I will not ruin my kiddo’s first trip to Disney by acting like the nutcase I really feel like being.

I began packing about a month before we left (are you seeing the OCD pattern emerging here?) – all of her little outfits neatly in the plastic bags just like the DIS told me to. My clothes, somehow, evaded the crazy-packer syndrome but managed to make it just fine. We had books, a few toys and a First Aid kit to rival a small rural hospital. WE ARE READY!!!!

My dear sister agrees to get up with us at 4:00 on our departure day and drive us to the airport so we can be there 2 hours before our flight (it was really 3 hours early, but she didn’t need to know that, and it fed my need to feel in control). We unload our bags at the curb, hug and kisses all around and DSis takes off. WAIT – Pal, where’s your sippy cup? CARP – call DSis – “come back, Pal’s cup is in your car”. She had figured we would have left something, so she was already circling back and pulled up about 20 seconds later – thanks Sis!

Okay – kiddo in stroller pulling her carry-on suitcase beside her, me loaded down with our carry-ons and pulling my big suitcase, ready to push her in her stroller – WAIT - HOW DO I GET THIS LAST SUITCASE TO BAGGAGE??? Lesson #1 about traveling solo with kiddos – NEVER PACK MORE BAGS THAN YOU CAN CARRY. I look around, waiting for that Southern Hospitality thing to kick in, but apparently it only works after 6:00 AM, because no one was coming. FINE – I can still do this. After some pretty involved physics calculations, a couple of near misses and a few silent choice words, I get all of the bags, Pal and myself to check-in. This part went fairly easily, and we breezed through security. Grabbed some breakfast and sat down to watch the planes take off and land, and before you know it, IT’S OUR TURN TO GO!

Pally was really good on the flight – she didn’t kick the seat in front of us, didn’t sing at the top of her lungs, did a great job of masking her spying on the people behind us, and ONLY TWICE had to get up to go to the bathroom. Now, those of you with little girls know that there is some genetic mutation which dictates to them that under no circumstance are they allowed to bypass the opportunity to completely and fully inspect any and all new bathrooms they come into contact with – so, what should have been quick, 5 minute trips were actually 15 minutes each – not appreciated by our fellow passengers, but oh well – there are other things to worry about in this world.

As we approached MCO, I started to get really excited, and Pally must have picked up on it because she started bouncing in her seat, trying to see out of all of the windows within reach, and generally acting like a 4 year old getting ready to see the Holy Land of the preschool set. We landed, got off the plane, and made our way to the tram. This, according to Pal, is her first ride at Disney, and I will not dispel the myth. We made it to baggage, and there is our driver (yes, we took a town car because A – ME was just starting and I didn’t trust that our luggage would make to the hotel and B – I am severely directionally challenged, so renting a car was out of the question). Our car and driver were very nice, and 30 minutes later, WE ARRIVED AT AS MOVIES – this is real, we are here – and the thought actually crossed my mind, I AM HOME.

 

[PrincessV]

Yay, you made it!!
Apparently, I've been lurking here. It wasn't intentional - I really thought I'd posted at some point... But I have been reading along and this is a great story! After my last excursion to The World, I can totally appreciate what it takes to visit The Mouse solo with a 4yo, and I didn't even have to navigate an airplane in the process. You rock